johan

not being (too) pedantic but the Oakdene is in Wotham Heath . Wednesday is a big biker night and also attracts a lot of police attentionI often used to get stopped on my way commute home from work :-( Being pedantic it's between Wrotham Heath and Borough Green . I live about three miles from there. Have seen the bikes on a Wednesday but have never actually stopped there. But often see the Police car parked beyond the Shell filling station going up the A20.

Stringman, I commute A20/M20/A2 through the Blackwall tunnel to Canary Wharf. For that reason I opted for the Yamaha fog lamps. Makes the bike much more visible, sadly does not guarantee that nobody will ever say: "Sorry mate, I didn't see you". But I agree, it all helps. I should also add a more powerful horn.

It happened to me, just as I was accelerating to overtake, frightening. The motorist must have thought I was crazy. I realised that it was caused by me not fully turning the key - I think my gate remote which used the hang from my key obstructed it, so that I did not turn it to fully click on. Under acceleration it either turned slightly, or because of poor contact could not cope with the demand.

That's helpful Scuff - I really do not ride aggressively although I do like to make spirited progress. On the occasions that I did get the weave I did not feel that it got out of control. I know that the situation you describe would have been much closer to the limit than anything I've done. But your advice re the rear brake is helpful.

did you see that front mounted pannier on the Africa twin? I wonder how well that would work at 110mph?

you clearly work for the wrong government department in Cheltenham if you don't understand why some people need to go under cover...

I once tested the 130kph speed limit under similar conditions on a French motorway after I made a brief stop and wanted to catch up with you lot, no stability issues and I had all the luggage on. Was the trip from Beaune to Alsace.

Bought stuff on Ebay from an outfit called NativeViking; Givi Top Box and rack, as well as a Bagster tank cover and bag. I think the prices were reasonable if not cheap, but the service and delivery time was excellent. They have Bagster tank covers in stock and delivered in two days. Most other dealers have it made on order and delivery takes ten days. The Givi kit also arrived in two days.

Yes. Why is it okay for VAG to put synthetic oil in my petrol car during manufacture and leave it there for 20,000 miles or 2 years. Yet bike engines will fall to bits if you use the stuff from day 1 or do more than 6000 miles (4000 in some areas) between changes. Can someone provide a scientific answer that convinces a cynical bastard like me who just sees it as a £ or $ earning opportunity for dealers and manufacturers? If you really want to see cynical go and buy a litre of that VAG juice from your friendly VW, or better still, Audi dealer. It will hurt! But I agree that it is more likely related to a marketing strategy than anything scientific.

@grogsym, now's the time to test the weather protection qualities, quick, go for a ride and report back please

That is weird, I've never seen anything like it! Even a 1970s Datsun dash in the worst of the African heat never melted that quickly! You must surely take this back to Yamaha?

Couldn't find the English flag, but the Union Flag works just as well...

I'll shove some of the M25 traffic your way...

I can feel my own clutch slipping this time of the evening but my Tracer does not have a slipper clutch.

Interesting thing is the NXR does not have sun visor, hence the small profile. I think I've used my Shark's sun visor twice. Back in the good old RSA a sun visor would have been a necessity. Not here.

The moment I picked up that NXR I was in trouble, it's nice and light and the fit for me was the best I've ever felt. They had one in matte black with nice graphics, but a plain white is almost £100 cheaper and I've always had either solid white or red helmets.

Clockwise tightens, ant- oh, forget it. How many have you broken now? I'm impressed with the panniers. For the price... If I don't like the panniers I can fit the SWM alu cases. I bought a Caberg Duke helmet today, in summer in slow traffic I can open it and use it like a jet helmet. The nice young lady who helped me showed me the Shoei NXR and I promptly ordered one. I'll stay away from her in future.

Is this part 2PP-F83J0-00-00 which is listed on the Yamaha Europe site as an accessory a new Yamaha High screen? I think it has changed and there is no longer mention of having to remove the hand guards. I seem to recall that the first (ugly) itineration was rather flat where this looks to have been curved? Or is it just my imagination? Edited: Never mind, it is still the same thing.

Just returned from a run down to Battle in East Sussex. Every biker in London seems to have had the same idea, there were literally hundreds. I turned around at the Route 1066 Cafe, they must have sold more fry-ups today than any other day in the year. Makes you realise what a diverse bunch bikers are. I did not see a single other Tracer. Massive Police and Emergency Services presence and with lots of mobile safety cameras, video cameras on white lines and electronic boards warning that "there is a Policeman on an unmarked bike riding behind you". Understandable, because some guys get carried away. But the congestion did spoil the ride for me somewhat. A group of women riders parked next to me, most of them on Triumphs and a Kawa ER6F. I really liked the look of the ER6F.

He commutes in London - A mode is needed for the traffic light grand prix...Traffic light grand prix If you are that way inclined it is something the Tracer does rather well. It never fails to surprise those Friday commuters on their Ducatis or the hard core all year rounders who commute on Daytonas, Blades or R1s. If one did want to, it would be very easy to lift the front wheel

I've just got back from a half hour ride having installed the G2 throttle tamer and I think it's brilliant. I was able to go down some pretty bumpy and greasy country lanes in A mode without constantly thinking about micro adjustments to the throttle. The uneven road surface isn't transferred to the throttle to the same degree when you hit a bump. Standard mode is also much smoother. It's just a more relaxing riding experience when you can concentrate on speed and position instead of battling with the throttle control. If you want responsiveness and agility it's still there, but it's more controllable. Installation is a breeze - just make sure you install the metal routing for the end of the throttle in the same position on the bar - I didn't pay attention to that and had it further down the bar to begin with and when retightening the bolts it was pinching something so the throttle wouldn't snap back when released. I nearly gave up on it until I realised my error. I'd very much like to hear more about this. Did you fit the original grips and do you still have the hand guards? Would it work with heated grips? Can you post a how to with pictures, or can the next person please do that?

But losing 2.3kg would require at least three weeks of discipline and no wine or beer...

I'm retired now, but of all of the types and makes of helmet that I was issued with, I had no choice about the make or model. Just had to accept the one which was being purchased over that period. Before the days of H&S, we wore fabric horse riding Jodhpurs and nylon jackets. Our helmets were half faced and we were issued with a pair of stadium split screen goggles (of which I still have an unused pair). Make me laugh and shudder at the same time. I finished up with a BMW full face hemet and made to measure BKS leathers with armour fitted! Jodhpurs, ouch. Seems Old Bill has actually made progress over the years. Do you still wear a flip-up on your Tracer? I am considering one but don't know what the disadvantages would be, more noise I guess for one. But I sometimes get very hot and almost claustrophobic in my full face helmet in summer and it would be nice to flip it open at stand still.

Bought this, used it, and impressed. Would recommend it to anyone with matt paint. Available on Amazon UK @ £7.99

An emergency doctor showed me a photo of a guy who came off wearing office shoes - the bones were ground off. It must have been incredibly painful. I learned to ride on a farm when I was 12 years old, on a Honda XL125. Grew up riding bare feet and in shorts (in a tropical climate). Thankfully never had an serious spills though I did lose plenty of skin at times. Have you ever felt an XT500 kick back against a bare shin ?